Uncover Your Roots: Exploring Ancestry & Family History
One thing I have learned on this genealogy journey is that you never really know who is paying attention, who is quietly reading my blog posts, scrolling through my Facebook posts, or listening when I talk about my research and my findings. I must admit that I give my family a very hard time because... Continue Reading →
My grandmother, Gladys Denson Mays, Class of 1931 Valedictorian (standing back row center), Newport Colored Schools
One of the things I always do before a research trip is go through old research notes to see what loose ends, I have. While preparing for my trip to RootsTech and the Family Search Library, I was going through some of my research notes from the last six months. One of the things that... Continue Reading →
February has always been my favorite month of the year because it's Black History Month. I know in February I will be able to find all kinds of Black books, apparel, and information that isn't readily available in stores throughout the rest of the year. During February I know I will be able to watch... Continue Reading →
As I celebrate Black History Month and the Black excellence found throughout my family, it feels important to pause and include someone I often overlook in these stories: Trisha Mays-Cummings. That's right this blog post is all about the researcher. For more than a decade, I have been researching my family’s history and their communities,... Continue Reading →
Black excellence lives in my family in education, faith, service, music, and the commitment to preserve our history. Honoring them is how I celebrate Black History Month. Family photographs are more than images, they are visual records of our Black excellence. So this Black History Month, take a moment to look through your family photos,... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite parts of attending RootsTech is time spent in the Expo Hall. If classes are where you learn, the Expo Hall is where you discover. The Expo Hall brings together genealogy companies, archives, societies, publishers, DNA testing companies, and innovators all in one place. It’s a space filled with conversation, curiosity, and... Continue Reading →
As part of my Black History Month series, Black Excellence in My Family, I’m honoring the everyday excellence found in my own family history. My 3× great-grandfather, Rev. Robert Hatchett, was Black excellence under circumstances that were designed to deny him. Though he was enslaved, he served as a Baptist minister, performing marriages and leading... Continue Reading →
As part of my Black History Month series, Black Excellence in My Family, I’m honoring the everyday excellence found in my own family history. My grandfather, Gus Hatchett, was Black excellence in more ways than one. He was a member of the singing group The United Harmonizers, who made history as the first African American... Continue Reading →
February is the shortest month of the year and often the coldest, but it has always been my favorite. It’s the month we celebrate Black History Month and recognize Black excellence. Through my family history research, I’ve learned that Black excellence doesn’t require wealth, fame, or celebrity. It shows up in everyday choices—especially the courage... Continue Reading →
RootsTech 2026 will be here before you know it. The RootsTech 2026 class schedule is now available online at rootstech.org. You can also download the official RootsTech app on your smart phone for easy access. Whether you’re just starting your genealogy journey or you’re a seasoned professional, there’s something for everyone at this year’s conference.... Continue Reading →
Each year, the keynote speakers help ground the conference in something deeper than records and research techniques. They remind us that family history is about people, lived experiences, and the stories that connect us across generations. Reminding us why we do this genealogy work. This year is no different with a lineup of keynote speakers... Continue Reading →
As we begin 2026, a year marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, I have found myself with a simple, yet not so simple question - Do you know where your ancestors were in 1776? For some families 1776 represents independence, military service, or the beginning of opportunity. But for others, it represents slavery,... Continue Reading →
NOTE: I accepted the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge headed by fellow genealogy blogger Amy Johnson Crow. The idea behind this challenge is that you will receive email prompts, a word or phrase, every week, and you find something about your research or family history to write about. Click HERE to read my first... Continue Reading →
Journey Through the Generations 